CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Over thirty years ago, two Central Illinois school districts established an opportunity for community members to engage with students.

Champaign-Urbana’s one-on-one mentor program has begun again for the new school year. Each district’s public schools facilitate the program once a week during school hours. The mentors assist students with everything except academics.

They are there to be a listening ear, to have fun, to get to know their mentee and to support them.

In its 31st year, C-U One-to-One Mentoring connects adults from the community with students from third to seventh grade, aiming for the pair to stay together until graduation. This is the sole cross-district initiative between the two school districts, currently benefiting 500 students.

Teachers, parents, or the students themselves can nominate eligible participants. However, the transformation extends beyond the students.

“Students benefit significantly. They express feeling valued, saying, ‘I love having someone who visits just to see me, who listens and enjoys my company,'” stated Lauren Smith, Champaign School District Community Outreach Coordinator. “A mentor shared, as many often do, that ‘I came in thinking I would make a difference for the students, but I didn’t realize how much I’d be changed by the experience and how impactful it would be for me.'”

But the support doesn’t end at graduation.

Independent from the school districts, the One-to-One Scholarship Foundation fundraises to provide scholarships for graduating seniors. The requirements are completing high school, participating in the program for three years, and planning to pursue further education.